There is no greater inspiration for artists than fellow human beings, particularly famous ones – even better if you’ve had close personal relationships with them. Even if they usually end up being a catastrophe, it often inspires some of the greatest songs of that person’s career. Here comes a list of songs that take inspiration from other famous people, which definitely gets more sour as we move down.
The Beatles – ‘Hey Jude‘ (about Julian Lennon)
In the midst of John and Cynthia Lennon’s divorce in 1968, at least someone was thinking about their son, Julian. Paul McCartney paid a visit to Cynthia and Julian in their new home shortly after their separation from John, and on the drive down he composed the song ‘Hey Jules‘, for the boy who he knew would be going through a tough time, encouraging him to “take a sad song and make it better.” When it came to recording the song, McCartney decided to change it to ‘Hey Jude‘ because “it sounded a bit better.” At least they can’t take the sentiment away from Julian.
David Bowie – ‘Andy Warhol‘ (about Andy Warhol)
David Bowie penned this ode to one of his first artistic inspirations with obvious glee, but when he actually had the chance to play ‘Andy Warhol’ to the man himself, his subject was left decidedly indifferent. Perhaps it was the oddity of the hook, “Andy Warhol looks a scream/ hang him on my wall,” that put him off it. Nevertheless, Bowie and Warhol went on to be great friends and collaborators, and Bowie would later even play Warhol in the 1996 film Busquiat.
Foo Fighters – ‘I’ll Stick Around‘ (about Courtney Love)
Unsurprisingly, the fall-out from the sudden suicide of Kurt Cobain caused massive rifts around those who were close to him. Perhaps none was more bitter than that between Cobain’s wife Courtney Love and Nirvana drummer turned Foo Fighters leader Dave Grohl over the royalties from the grunge legends’ valuable catalogue. When it came to recording a debut album on his own as Foo Fighters, Grohl made sure to give Love the shout out he thought she deserved on ‘I’ll Stick Around‘, repeatedly screaming: “I don’t owe you anything.” The repeated mantra of “I’ll stick around” at the song’s conclusion proved to be a strong and truthful one for Grohl, who, 22 years later, is still headlining festivals and about to put out the 9th Foo Fighters album Concrete and Gold.
Justin Timberlake – ‘Cry Me A River‘ (about Britney Spears)
Britney and Justin – where did it all go wrong?! The picture-perfect couple were the idols of a generation of tweens (before we even had the word), and when it was over the fanbase was torn between the two camps. On the one hand we had the devastated Britney, and on the other the assured and cool Timberlake. He sealed the victory over Spears with the unforgettable kiss-off ‘Cry Me A River’. Delivering a heartfelt and measured accounting of their break-up, and buoyed by Timbaland’s production in what might still be their biggest and best collaboration to date, it’s a winner on all counts. The song might be about Britney, but stands alone and is much more memorable than some decades-ago tabloid drama.
Kanye West – ‘Blame Game’ (about Amber Rose)
Kanye West’s ‘Blame Game’, detailing his polarising feelings over ex-girlfriend Amber Rose, is one of the most complex break-up songs of all time, both musically and lyrically. Built around a sample of Aphex Twin’s ‘Avril 14th’, Kanye’s flow is similarly spiralling and eviscerating: “You weren’t perfect but you made life worth it/ stick around some real feelings might surface.” With interjections from John Legend to soothe the pain, Kanye unfolds in a multitude of digitized voices, reflecting the multitude of emotions grappling for control. Whether or not Amber is flattered by the tribute, it’s a memorable one for all Kanye West fans.
Taylor Swift – ‘We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together‘ (about Jake Gyllenhaal)
Taylor Swift came out swinging on the lead single from her album Red. After having heard rumours that she and ex Jake Gyllenhaal might be rekindling their romance, Swift felt she had to fully stamp out any possible inkling that this could be on anyone’s mind. Not afraid to fully call out Gyllenhaal’s issues – “I’m really gonna miss you picking fights” – before slam-dunking home the hook: “we are never ever getting back together,” Jake can’t have missed the public slap-down. Taylor walked away from this one with a world-conquering single and a very public announcement of her availability to all eligible bachelors.
Death Cab For Cutie – ‘El Dorado‘ (about Zooey Deschanel)
The marriage between Death Cab For Cutie singer Ben Gibbard and über-crushed-upon actress Zooey Deschanel always seemed too good to be true for shy nerds everywhere. It turned out it was indeed too good to be true, and the couple’s inevitable divorce inspired an album’s worth of lyrics for Gibbard. Perhaps the most pointed of all was ‘El Dorado’, where he references Deschanel’s rise to the A-list via her starring role on sitcom New Girl: “Looks like you finally found El Dorado/ Over in Culver City, shining bright, name in lights.” He “tried to be hyped” for her, but ultimately she got away. At least he got this song out of it, one of the most lucid and slick in Death Cab’s later career.
